JOHN 6:1 -5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH (Kent Smith Notes 2/25/24)

FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH

JOHN 6:1-14

The Fourth Sign

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JESUS WENT TO “THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEA”

The most likely site of the feeding of the 5000 was outside of the town of Bethsaida, on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee, 80 miles from Jerusalem.

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A CROWD FOLLOWED HIM THERE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNS THEY HAD SEEN.

THIS MIRACLE IS THE ONLY MIRACLE OF JESUS THAT IS RECORDED IN ALL FOUR GOSPELS

Matthew 14:13 - 21

Mark 6:30 - 44

Luke 9:10 - 17

John 6:1-14

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The regular population of Jerusalem was likely about 75,000.

During the four required festivals it could surpass 2 million!

This was in 32AD in the second year of His ministry. By this time Jesus had become well-known for His miracles and teachings.

John 6:1-2 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.

Mark 6:30-33 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. 33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.

Matthew 14:14-16 When He went [b]ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”

John 6:5-9 (He) said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”

Matthew 14:18-20 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied.

Luke 9:16-17 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the [a]people. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

John 6:10-13 Jesus said, “Have the people [a]sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (Matthew 14:21 says “There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.” ) 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED. 12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Mark 6:42-43 They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish!

John 6:14

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LESSONS FROM THE HILLSIDE

Jesus is always prepared to meet our needs.
Jesus uses whatever is given to Him.
Jesus blessed the food before it was eaten
Jesus can fully satisfy our appetites.
Jesus exercised good stewardship so nothing would be wasted.

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John 6:10-11 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Matthew 14:21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:18 Regarding the lunch of the young lad of two fish and five loaves Jesus said, “Bring them here to Me.”

God can only use what is placed in His hands. He cannot use what we will not release; including your future, your children, your talents, your time and your finances.

Before a crowd of likely 15,000 or more, He took the time to bless the food. Perhaps His blessing of the food was to see it multiplied. Perhaps His blessing was an expression of thanks to His Father for the provision. When Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples took time to give thanks to the Father before they shared the bread and the cup. Here on the side of a mountain before this large crowd, Jesus by His example established a model of blessing the provisions before they were consumed.
John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. Matthew 14:20 and they all ate and were satisfied. Mark 6:42 They all ate and were satisfied, Luke 9:17 And they all ate and were satisfied;
John 6:12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”

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When the people saw the “sign”

“This is truly the Prophet who is come into the world.”

John recorded all this so that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing YOU may have life in His name.

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